r  r 

"**&*  VC\^fl»3'r  ■ 

V  w'  JTK 

35 

/ « 

\  V ,  I ,  / 

e  Grantf  Lodg't 


I.  Owen  Scott.  Grand  Secretary  of  the  GYand  Lodg'e  <y 
Illinois,  A.  F.  CSX  A.  M..  do  hereby  certify  that  the  Lodge 
shown  on  the  reverse  side  of  this  certificate  is  regularly, 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  A.  F.  CSX  A.  M 
and  its  members,  when  in  good  standing  in  said  Lodge, 
are  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  and  courtesies  oX  visi- 

|  -  i 

tation  given  by  Lodges  whose  governing' 
bodies  are  recognized  by  this  Grand  L  odg'a 
as  regular  Grand  l  odges  of  A.  F.  CSX  A.  M. 


GRAND  SECRETARY. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ILLINOIS  DOES  NOT  REQUIRE  THE  PAYMENT 
OF 'DUES  IN  ADVANCE. 


/  , 

A^lE^ON, 


/JL _ 192_^ 


THIS  IS  TO  CERTIFY  THAT  BRO. 


CHARLESTON  LODGE  No.  35*  A.  F.  &  A.  M., Charleston 


Sec  ^et ary 


Ikia  NAT  u  m  U 


T,  Owen  Scott,  Cra.nct  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Illinois,  A.  F  d.  A.  M..  do  hereby  c^rtiQsr>  tfiat  the  Lodge 
shown  on  the  reverse  sid&'of  this  certificate  is  regularly 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  A.  F*.  fgl.  1A,  T*I., 
and  its  members,  when  in  good  standing'  in  said  Lodg'e. 
are  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  and  courtesies  of  visi¬ 
tation  given  Lodg'es  whose  governing' 

bodies  are.  refcfog'nized  by  this  Grand  Lodge 
as  regular  Giand  Lodges  of  A.  F~.  d.  A.  1*4. 


GRAND  SECRETARY. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  I 
OF  DUES  IN  ADVANCE.  1 


I. 


Ancient  free  B  Accenleil  Wilsons  of  ljlinni: 


I  „.^'^\S>-;iS?^  ^iNI  >^F<RKWSif 

C  H  A  bu¥^CO&)(^^(5^  >2__192_^_ 

THIS  IS  TOCERTI^|f  THAT  BRO. 

'traovz 

CHARLESTON  LODGE  No.  35),  A.  F. &  A.  M.,  Charleston 


' ;  w  yH  / 


' 


«• 


. 


THE 


Standard  Monitor 

OR 

FREEMASON’S  CONDUCTOR 

COMPILED  BY 

EDWARD  COOK 

$Ia2t  ffirantj  (Eiamtiur,  Illinois 

REVISED  AND  PRINTED  FROM 
NEW  PLATES 


REDDING 

igi6 


Copyright 
By  Edward  Cook 
a.d.  1908 


W.  HALL  PRINTING  COMPANY,  CHICAGO 


3U.!2o9  77.7  ttrL.HIsr. 

C  77 IS 
/  ?/6 

PREFATORY  NOTE 


'JHHE  compiler  heartily  appreciates  the 
kindly  reception  that  the  brethren  have 
accorded  to  The  Standard  Monitor,  and 
earnestly  hopes  that  the  new  edition,  which 
has  been  endorsed  by  the  Grand  Master  and 
the  Board  of  Grand  Examiners,  will  con¬ 
tinue  to  be  helpful  in  supporting  and  pro¬ 
moting  the  uniform  use  of  the  authorized 
work  of  the  jurisdiction. 


A  decision  by  the  Grand  Master,  approved  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  1905. 

‘‘Cook’s  Standard  Monitor  and  the 

Book  of  Ceremonials  are  the  only  books  con- 

•  >  taining  ritual  and  ceremonials  authorized  in 

t-  Illinois.” 
r 


THE 


STANDARD  MONITOR 


OPENING  PRAYER 

gUPREME  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  we  would 
reverently  invoke  thy  blessing  at  this  time. 
Wilt  thou  be  pleased  to  grant  that  this  meet¬ 
ing  thus  begun  in  order  may  be  conducted 
in  peace  and  closed  in  harmony.  Amen. 


OR: 

Almighty  and  all-wise  Father,  the  Creator 
and  Governor  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  we 
would  humbly  ask  thy  blessing  upon  this 
assemblage  of  thy  children.  Grant  that  the 
true  spirit  of  brotherly  love  and  charity  may 
so  pervade  our  hearts  at  all  times  that  our 
work  while  in  Lodge,  and  our  lives  while 
abroad  in  the  world,  mav  be  for  the  best 
good  of  ourselves  and  our  fellow-creatures, 
and  for  the  furtherance  of  thy  honor  wd 
glory.  Amen. 


6 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


OR: 

Most  holy  and  glorious  Lord  God,  the 
great  Architect  of  the  Universe,  the  giver 
of  all  good  gifts  and  graces :  thou  hast  prom¬ 
ised  that  “  where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
together  in  thy  name,  thou  wilt  be  in  their 
midst,  and  bless  them.”  In  thy  name  we 
have  assembled,  and  in  thy  name  we  de¬ 
sire  to  proceed  in  all  our  doings.  Grant 
that  the  sublime  principles  of  Freemasonry 
may  so  subdue  every  discordant  passion 
within  us,  so  harmonize  and  enrich  our 
hearts  with  thine  own  love  and  goodness, 
that  the  Lodge  at  this  time  may  humbly  re¬ 
flect  that  order  and  beauty  which  reign  for¬ 
ever  before  thy  throne.  Amen. 


AT  CLOSING 

And  now  may  the  blessing  of  Heaven  rest 
upon  us  and  all  regular  masons ;  may  broth¬ 
erly  love  prevail,  and  every  moral  and  social 
virtue  cement  us.  Amen. 


FIRST  DEGREE 


FIRST  SECTION 

INTERROGATORIES  BY  THE 
SECRETARY 

Mr. - As  you  have  petitioned  for  initia¬ 

tion  into  our  mysteries,  it  becomes  my  duty 
to  propound  to  you  several  interrogatories 
to  which  I  must  require  of  you  unequivocal 
answers :  In  the  first  place, 

1.  Do  you  believe  in  the  existence  of  God  ? 

2.  Have  you  resided  in  this  State  one  year  or  more, 
next  preceding  this  date  ? 

3.  Have  you  ever  before  petitioned  a  Lodge  of  An¬ 
cient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  for  initiation? 

4.  Do  you  seriously  declare,  upon  your  honor,  in  the 
presence  of  these  gentlemen,*  that  unbiased  by  friends, 
and  uninfluenced  by  mercenary  motives,  you  freely  and 
voluntarily  offer  yourself  a  candidate  for  the  mysteries 
of  Masonry? 

5.  Do  you  seriously  declare,  upon  your  honor,  that 
you  are  prompted  to  solicit  the  privileges  of  Masonry 
by  a  favorable  opinion  conceived  of  the  Institution,  a 
desire  of  knowledge,  and  a  sincere  wish  of  being  ser¬ 
viceable  to  your  fellow-creatures? 

6.  Do  you  sincerely  declare,  upon  your  honor,  that 
you  will  cheerfully  conform  to  all  the  ancient  established 
usages  and  customs  of  the  Fraternity? 

As  you  have  been  elected  by  a  unanimous 
ballot  to  become  a  member  of  our  Fraternity, 
it  becomes  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  the 

*  The  Stewards  of  the  Lodge  should  always  be 
present. 


8 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


institution  of  which  you  are  about  to  become 
a  member  is  of  no  light  and  trifling  character, 
but  of  high  importance  and  due  solemnity. 

Masonry  consists  of  a  course  of  ancient 
hieroglyphic  moral  instruction,  taught  agree¬ 
ably  to  ancient  usages  by  types,  emblems, 
and  allegorical  figures.  Even  the  ceremonies 
of  gaining  admission  within  these  walls  are 
emblematical  of  events  which  all  mankind 
must  sooner  or  later  experience.  They  are 
emblematical,  at  least  in  some  small  degree, 
of  your  great  and  last  change,  of  your  exit 
from  this  world  to  the  world  to  come.  You 
are  undoubtedly  .aware  that  whatever  man 
may  acquire  on  earth,  whether  wealth,  honor, 
titles,  or  even  his  own  merits,  can  never  serve 
him  as  a  passport  to  the  Grand  Lodge  above, 
but,  previous  to  his  gaining  "  imission  there, 
he  must  find  himself  poor  ana  penniless,  blind 
and  naked,  dependent  on  the  will  and  pleasure 
of  the  Supreme  Grand  Master.  He  must  be 
divested  of  the  rags  of  his  own  righteousness 
and  clothed  with  a  garment  from  on  high, 

Are  you  willing  to  submit  to  these  rules  ? 

I  will  then  leave  you  in  the  hands  of  true 
and  trusty  friends,  who  will  give  you  the 
necessary  instruction  and  prepare  you  in  a 
proper  manner  for  your  initiation,  as  all 
candidates  have  been  who  have  gone  this 
way  before. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


9 


PRAYER  AT  INITIATION 

Vouchsafe  thine  aid,  Almighty  Father  of 
the  Universe,  to  this  our  present  conven¬ 
tion,  and  grant  that  this  candidate  for 
masonry  may  dedicate  and  devote  his  life 
to  thy  service  and  become  a  true  and  faith¬ 
ful  brother  among  us.  Endue  him  with  a 
competency  of  thy  Divine  Wisdom,  that, 
by  the  influence  of  the  pure  principles  of 
our  Institution,  he  may  be  the  better  enabled 
to  display  the  beauties  of  Brotherly  Love, 
Relief  and  Truth,  to  the  honor  of  thy  holy 
name.  Amen. 

Response .  So  mote  it  be. 

SCRIPTURE  READING 
Psalm  cxxxiii 

“  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it 
is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity! 

“  It  is  like  the  precious  ointment  upon 
the  head,  that  ran  down  upon  the  beard, 
even  Aaron’s  beard :  that  went  down  to  the 
skirts  of  his  garments  : 


10 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


“  As  the  dew  of  Hermon,  and  as  the  dew 
that  descended  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion, 
for  there  the  Lord  commanded  the  blessing, 
even  life  for  evermore/’ 


“  In  the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven 
and  the  earth.  And  the  earth  was  without 
form,  and  void;  and  darkness  was  upon  the 
face  of  the  deep:  and  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters.  And 
God  said,  Let  there  be  light :  and  there  was 
light.” 

***** 


The  three  *  *  *  are  the  Holy 

Bible,  Square,  and  Compasses. 


The  Bible  is  given  as  the  rule  and  guide 
of  our  faith,  the  Square  to  square  our  ac¬ 
tions,  and  the  Compasses  to  circumscribe 
and  keep  us  within  due  bounds. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


II 


THE  LAMBSKIN, 

OR  WHITE  LEATHER  APRON, 

It  is  an  emblem  of  innocence,  and  the 

badge  of  a  mason, - 

more  ancient  than  the  Golden  Fleece  or 
Roman  Eagle,  more  honorable  than  the 
Star  and  Garter,  or  any  other  Order  that 
can  be  conferred  upon  you  at  this  time  or 
at  any  future  period,  by  King,  Prince,  Po¬ 
tentate,  or  any  other  person,  except  he 
be  a  mason ;  and  which  I  hope  you  will 
wear  with  equal  pleasure  to  yourself  and 
honor  to  the  Fraternity.  *  *  *  * 


THE  TWENTY-FOUR  INCH  GAUGE 

Is  an  instrument  made  use  of  by  opera¬ 
tive  masons  to  measure  and  lay  out  their 
work.  But  we,  as  Free  and  Accepted  Ma¬ 
sons,  are  taught  to  make  use  of  it  for  the 
more  noble  and  glorious  purpose  of  divid¬ 
ing  our  time.  It  being  divided  into  twenty- 
four  equal  parts,  is  emblematical  of  the 


12 


TKA  STANDARD  MONITOR 


twenty-four  hours  of  the  day,  which  we  are 
taught  to  divide  into  three  equal  parts, 
whereby  we  find  eight  hours  for  the  service 
of  God  and  a  distressed  worthy  brother, 
eight  for  our  usual  vocations,  and  eight  for 
refreshment  and  sleep. 

THE  COMMON  GAVEL 

Is  an  instrument  made  use  of  by  opera¬ 
tive  masons  to  break  off  the  rough  and 
superfluous  parts  of  stones,  the  better  to 
fit  them  for  the  builder’s  use ;  but  we,  as 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  are  taught  to 
make  use  of  it  for  the  more  noble  and  glo¬ 
rious  purpose  of  divesting  our  hearts  and 
consciences  of  the  vices  and  superfluities 
of  life,  thereby  fitting  our  minds,  as  living 
stones,  for  that  spiritual  building,  that 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


*3 


SECOND  SECTION 

THE  LAMBSKIN 

The  Lamb  has  in  all  ages  been  deemed 
an  emblem  of  innocence.  •  He,  therefore, 
who  wears  the  Lambskin,  or  White  Leather 
Apron,  as  the  Badge  of  a  Mason,  is 
thereby  continually  reminded  of  that  purity 
of  life  and  conduct  which  is  so  essen¬ 
tially  necessary  to  his  gaining  admission 
into  the  Celestial  Lodge  above,  where 
the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe 
presides. 


THIRD  SECTION 

*  *  *  What  constitutes  a  Lodge, 

its  form,  supports,  covering,  furniture,  orna¬ 
ments,  lights,  jewels,  how  situated,  and  to 
whom  dedicated. 


14  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

A  Lodge  consists  of  a  certain  number  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  duly  assembled, 
with  the  Holy  Bible,  Square,  and  Com¬ 
passes,  and  a  Charter  or  Warrant  empower¬ 
ing  them  to  work. 

***** 

THE  FORM  OF  A  LODGE 

^  ^  Iji 

THE  SUPPORTS 

Masonry  may  be  said  to  be  metaphor¬ 
ically  supported  by  three  Great  Pillars, 
called  Wisdom,  Strength,  and  Beauty. 
Because  it  is  necessary  that  there  should  be 
Wisdom  to  contrive,  Strength  to  support, 
and  Beauty  to  adorn  all  great  and  impor¬ 
tant  undertakings.  *  *  *  * 

THE  COVERING 

Of  a  Lodge  is  the  Clouded  Canopy,  or 
Starry-decked  Heaven,  where  all  good  ma- 
ons  hope  at  last  to  arrive,  by  the  aid  of  a 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  1 5 

ladder,  called  Jacob’s  Ladder,  having  three 
principal  rounds,  denominated  Faith,  Hope, 
and  Charity;  teaching  Faith  in  God,  Hope 
in  immortality,  and  Charity  to  all  mankind. 
But  the  greatest  of  these  is  Charity ;  for 
Faith  may  be  lost  in  sight — Hope  ends  in 
fruition  —  but  Charity  extends  beyond  the 
grave,  to  the  boundless  realms  of  eternity. 

THE  FURNITURE 

Of  a  Lodge  is  the  Holy  Bible,  Square,  and 
Compasses.  The  Bible  we  dedicate  to  the 
service  of  God,  the  Square  to  the  Master, 
and  the  Compasses  to  the  Craft. 

The  Bible  we  dedicate  to  the  service  of 
God,  because  it  is  His  inestimable  gift  to 
man;  *  *  *  the  Square  to  the  Master, 
because  it  is  the  proper  Masonic  emblem  of 
his  office,  and  by  it  he  is  constantly  re¬ 
minded  of  the  duty  he  owes  to  the  Lodge 
over  which  he  has  been  called  to  preside ; 
and  the  Compasses  to  the  Craft,  who,  by 
due  attention  to  their  use,  are  taught  to 
circumscribe  their  desires  and  keep  their 


l6  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

passions  within  due  bounds  with  all  man¬ 
kind,  but  more  especially  with  our  Brethren 
in  Freemasonry. 

THE  ORNAMENTS 

Of  a  Lodge  are  the  Mosaic  Pavement,  the 
Indented  Tessel,  and  the  Blazing  Star. 

The  Mosaic  Pavement  is  a  representa¬ 
tion  of  the  ground  floor  of  King  Solomon’s 
Temple ;  the  Indented  Tessel,  of  that 
beautiful  tessellated  border,  or  skirting, 
which  surrounded  it  —  with  the  Blazing 
Star  in  the  center.  The  Mosaic  Pave¬ 
ment  is  emblematical  of  human  life, 
checkered  with  good  and  evil  ;  the  In¬ 
dented  Tessel  which  surrounds  it,  of 
those  manifold  blessings  and  comforts 
which  surround  us  in  this  life,  and  which  . 
we  hope  to  enjoy  by  a  faithful  reliance  on 
Divine  Providence,  which  is  hieroglyphic- 
ally  represented  by  the  Blazing  Star  in 
the  center. 


A  Lodge  has  Three  Lights.  *  *  * 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  \^ 

A  Lodge  has  Six  Jewels,  —  three  im¬ 
movable  and  three  movable.  The  im¬ 
movable  Jewels  are  the  Square,  Level, 
and  Plumb  ;  the  Square  teaches  morality, 
the  Level  equality,  and  the  Plumb  rectitude 
of  life. 

****** 

The  movable  Jewels  are,  the  Rough 
Ashlar,  Perfect  Ashlar,  and  Trestle- 
Board. 

The  Rough  Ashlar  is  a  stone  taken 
from  the  quarry  in  its  rude  and  natural 
state.  The  Perfect  Ashlar  is  a  stone 
made  ready  by  the  hands  of  the  workmen, 
to  be  adjusted  by  the  working  tools  of  the 
Fellow-Craft.  The  Trestle-Board  is  for 
the  Master  to  draw  designs  upon. 

By  the  Rough  Ashlar  we  are  reminded 
of  our  rude  and  imperfect  state  by  nature ; 
by  the  Perfect  Ashlar,  of  that  state  of 
perfection  at  which  we  hope  to  arrive,  by  a 
virtuous  education,  our  own  endeavors,  and 
the  blessing  of  God ;  and  by  the  Trestle- 
Board  we  are  also  reminded  that,  as  the 


l8  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

operative  workman  erects  his  temporal 
building  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  designs 
laid  down  by  the  Master  on  his  Trestle- 
Board,  so  should  we,  both  operative  and 
speculative,  endeavor  to  erect  our  spiritual 
building  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  designs 
laid  down  by  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the 
Universe,  in  the  great  books  of  nature  and 
revelation,  which  are  our  spiritual,  moral,  and 
Masonic  Trestle-Board. 


SITUATION 

Lodges  are  situated  *  *  * 


DEDICA  TION 

Lodges  in  ancient  times  were  dedicated 
to  King  Solomon,  *  *  *  in  modern 

times,  to  St.  John  the  Baptist,  and  St.  John 
the  Evangelist  —  two  eminent  Christian 
patrons  of  Freemasonry;  and  since  their 
time  there  has  been  represented,  in  every 
regular  and  well-furnished  Lodge,  a  certain 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  19 

Point  within  a  Circle,  embordered  by  two 
perpendicular  parallel  lines,  representing 
St.  John  the  Baptist  and  St.  John  the  Evan¬ 
gelist.  On  the  top  of  the  circle  rests  the 
Book  of  Holy  Scriptures ;  the  point  repre¬ 
sents  an  individual  brother,  the  circle  the 
boundary  line  of  his  duty.  In  going  round 
this  circle  we  necessarily  touch  on  the  two 
parallel  lines,  as  well  as  on  the  Book  of 
Holy  Scriptures ;  and  while  a  Mason  keeps 
himself  circumscribed  within  their  precepts, 
it  is  impossible  that  he  should  materially 
err 

TENETS 

The  Tenets  of  a  Mason’s  profession  are 
Brotherly  Love,  Relief,  and  Truth. 

BROTHERLY  LOVE 

By  the' exercise  of  Brotherly  Love  we  are 
taught  to  regard  the  whole  human  species 
as  one  family  —  the  high  and  low,  rich  and 
poor;  who,  as  created  by  one  Almighty 
Parent,  and  inhabitants  of  the  same  planet, 


20 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


are  to  aid,  support,  and  protect  each  other. 
On  this  principle  Masonry  unites  men  of 
every  country,  sect,  and  opinion,  and  con¬ 
ciliates  true  friendship  among  those  who 
might  otherwise  have  remained  at  a  per¬ 
petual  distance. 


RELIEF 

To  relieve  the  distressed  is  a  duty  incum¬ 
bent  on  all  men,  but  particularly  on  Masons, 
who  profess  to  be  linked  together  by  an 
indissoluble  chain  of  sincere  affection.  To 
soothe  the  unhappy,  to  sympathize  with 
their  misfortunes,  to  compassionate  their 
miseries,  and  to  restore  peace  to  their 
troubled  minds,  is  the  grand  aim  we  have 
in  view.  On  this  basis  we  form  our  friend¬ 
ships  and  establish  our  connections. 

TRUTH 

Truth  is  a  divine  attribute,  and  the  founda¬ 
tion  of  every  virtue.  To  be  good  and  true 
is  the  first  lesson  we  are  taught  in  Masonry. 
On  this  theme  we  contemplate,  and  by  its 
dictates  endeavor  to  regulate  our  conduct. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


21 


Hence,  while  influenced  by  this  principle, 
hypocrisy  and  deceit  are  unknown  among  us, 
sincerity  and  plain  dealing  distinguish  us, 
and  the  heart  and  tongue  join  in  promoting 
each  other’s  welfare  and  rejoicing  in  each 
other’s  prosperity. 

****** 

THE  FOUR  CARDINAL  VIRTUES 

Temperance,  Fortitude,  Prudence, 
and  Justice. 

TEMPERANCE 

Is  that  due  restraint  upon  our  affections 
and  passions  which  renders  the  body  tame 
and  governable  and  frees  the  mind  from 
the  allurements  of  vice.  This  virtue  should 
be  the  constant  practice  of  every  Mason,  as 
he  is  thereby  taught  to  avoid  excess,  or  the 
contracting  of  any  licentious  or  vicious  habit, 
the  indulgence  in  which  might  lead  him  to 
disclose  some  of  those  valuable  secrets  which 


22 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


he  has  promised  to  conceal  and  never  reveal, 
and  which  would  consequently  subject  him 
to  the  contempt  and  detestation  of  all  good 
Masons,  ********* 


FORTITUDE 

Is  that  noble  and  steady  purpose  of  the 
mind  whereby  we  are  enabled  to  undergo 
any  pain,  peril,  or  danger,  when  prudentially 
deemed  expedient.  This  virtue  is  equally 
distant  from  rashness  and  cowardice,  and 
like  the  former,  should  be  deeply  impressed 
upon  the  mind  of  every  Mason,  as  a  safe¬ 
guard  or  security  against  any  illegal  attack 
that  may  be  made,  by  force  or  otherwise,  to 
extort  from  him  any  of  those  valuable 
secrets  with  which  he  has  been  so  solemnly 
intrusted,  ****** 


PRUDENCE 

Teaches  us  to  regulate  our  lives  and 
actions  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  reason, 
and  is  that  habit  by  which  we  wisely  judge, 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


23 


and  prudentially  determine,  on  all  things 
relative  to  our  present  as  well  as  to  our 
future  happiness.  This  virtue  should  be 
the  peculiar  characteristic  of  every  Mason, 
not  only  for  the  government  of  his  conduct 
while  in  the  Lodge,  but  also  when  abroad 
in  the  world.  It  should  be  particularly 
attended  to,  in  all  strange  and  mixed  com¬ 
panies,  never  to  let  fall  the  least  sign,  token, 
or  word,  whereby  the  secrets  of  Masonry 
may  be  unlawfully  obtained,  *  *  *  * 


JUSTICE 

Is  that  standard,  or  boundary  of  right, 
which  enables  us  to  render  unto  every  man 
his  just  due,  without  distinction.  This 
virtue  is  not  only  consistent  with  Divine 
and  human  laws,  but  is  the  very  cement 
and  support  of  civil  society;  and,  as  Justice 
in  a  great  measure  constitutes  the  real  good 
man,  so  should  it  be  the  invariable  practice 
of  every  Mason  never  to  deviate  from  the 
minutest  principle  thereof  *  *  * 


24  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

FREEDOM ,  FERVENCY,  AND  ZEAL 
****** 

CHALK,  CHARCOAL,  AND  CLAY 
****** 

CHARGE  — FIRST  DEGREE 

My  Brother  :  Having  passed  through 
the  ceremonies  of  your  initiation,  I  con¬ 
gratulate  you  on  your  admission  into  our 
ancient  and  honorable  Fraternity.  Ancient, 
as  having  existed  from  time  immemorial ; 
honorable,  as  tending  to  make  all  men 
so,  who  are  strictly  obedient  to  its  pre¬ 
cepts.  It  is  an  Institution  having  for 
its  foundation  the  practice  of  the  moral 
and  social  virtues.  And  to  so  high  an 
eminence  has  its  credit  been  advanced, 
that,  in  every  age  and  country,  men  pre¬ 
eminent  for  their  moral  and  intellectual 
attainments  have  encouraged  and  promoted 
its  interests.  Nor  has  it  been  thought  de¬ 
rogatory  to  their  dignity  that  monarchs 
have,  for  a  season,  exchanged  the  scepter 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  25 

for  the  trowel  to  patronize  our  mysteries 
and  join  in  our  assemblies. 

As  a  Mason ,  you  are  to  regard  the  vol¬ 
ume  of  the  Sacred  Law  as  the  great  light 
in  your  profession ;  to  consider  it  as  the  un¬ 
erring  standard  of  truth  and  justice,  and  to 
regulate  your  actions  by  the  Divine  pre¬ 
cepts  it  contains.  In  it  you  will  learn  the 
important  duties  you  owe  to  God,  your 
neighbor,  and  yourself.  To  God,  by  never 
mentioning  his  name  but  with  that  awe 
and  reverence  which  are  due  from  the 
creature  to  his  Creator ;  by  imploring  his 
aid  on  all  your  lawful  undertakings,  and 
by  looking  up  to  Him,  in  every  emergency, 
for  comfort  and  support.  To  your  neigh¬ 
bor,  by  acting  with  him  upon  the  Square ; 
by  rendering  him  every  kind  office  which 
justice  or  mercy  may  require;  by  relieving 
his  distresses,  and  soothing  his  afflictions ; 
and  by  doing  to  him,  as,  in  similar  cases, 
you  would  that  he  should  do  unto  you. 
And  to  yourself,  by  such  a  prudent  and 
well-regulated  course  of  discipline  as  may 
test  conduce  to  the  preservation  of  your 


26 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


faculties  in  their  fullest  energy ;  thereby  en¬ 
abling  you  to  exert  the  talents  wherewith 
God  has  blessed  you,  as  well  to  his  glory  as 
to  the  welfare  of  your  fellow-creatures. 

As  a  Citizen ,  you  are  enjoined  to  be  ex¬ 
emplary  in  the  discharge  of  your  civil 
duties,  by  never  proposing,  or  countenanc¬ 
ing,  any  act  which  may  have  a  tendency  to 
subvert  the  peace  and  good  order  of  so¬ 
ciety  ;  by  paying  due  obedience  to  the  laws 
under  whose  protection  you  live,  and  by 
never  losing  sight  of  the  allegiance  due  to 
your  country. 

As  an  Individual ,  you  are  charged  to 
practise  the  domestic  and  public  virtues. 
Let  Te?nperance  chasten,  Fortitude  support, 
Prudence  direct  you,  and  Justice  be  the 
guide  of  all  your  actions.  Be  especially 
careful  to  maintain,  in  their  fullest  splendor, 
those  true  Masonic  ornaments  —  Brotherly 
Love,  Relief,  and  Truth. 

Finally:  Be  faithful  to  the  trust  committed  . 
to  your  care,  and  manifest  your  fidelity  by 
a  strict  observance  of  the  principles  of  the 
Fraternity;  and  by  refraining  to  recom- 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


27 


mend  any  one  to  a  participation  in  our 
privileges,  unless  you  have  strong  reasons 
to  believe  that,  by  a  similar  fidelity,  he 
will  ultimately  reflect  honor  on  our  ancient 
Institution. 


SECOND  DEGREE 


FIRST  SECTION 

SCRIPTURE  READING 
i  Cor.,  chap,  xiii 

“  Though  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of 
men  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity,  I 
am  become  as  sounding  brass,  or  a  tinkling 
cymbal.  And  though  I  have  the  gift  of 
prophecy,  and  understand  all  mysteries, 
and  all  knowledge ;  and  though  I  have  all 
faith,  so  that  I  could  remove  mountains, 
and  have  not  charity,  I  am  nothing.  And 
though  I  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed  the 
poor,  and  though  I  give  my  body  to  be 
burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


29 


me  nothing.  Charity  suffereth  long,  and 
is  kind ;  charity  envieth  not ;  charity 
vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up,  doth 
not  behave  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not 
her  own,  is  not  easily  provoked,  thinketh 
no  evil ;  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  re- 
joiceth  in  the  truth ;  beareth  all  things, 
believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  en- 
dureth  all  things.  And  now  abideth  faith, 
hope,  charity,  these  three;  but  the  greatest 
of  these  is  charity.” 

OR  THE  FOLLOWING: 

Amos  vii.  7,  8 

“  Thus  he  showed  me :  and  behold,  the 
Lord  stood  upon  a  wall  made  by  a  plumb- 
ine,  with  a  plumbline  in  his  hand.  And 
he  Lord  said  unto  me,  Amos,  what  seest 
hou  ?  and  I  said,  A  plumbline.  Then 
.aid  the  Lord,  Behold,  I  will  set  a  plumb- 
ine  in  the  midst  of  my  people  Israel :  I 
jvill  not  again  pass  by  them  any  more.” 


30 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


THE  PLUMB ,  SQUARE,  AND  LEVEL 

The  Plumb  is  an  instrument  made  use  of 
by  operative  masons  to  try  perpendiculars  ; 
the  Square,  to  square  their  work ;  and  the 
Level,  to  prove  horizontals ;  but  we,  as 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  are  taught  to 
make  use  of  them  for  more  noble  and 
glorious  purposes.  The  Plumb  admon¬ 
ishes  us  to  walk  uprightly  in  our  several 
stations  before  God  and  man,  squaring  our 
actions  by  the  Square  of  virtue,  ever  re¬ 
membering  that  we  are  traveling  upon  the 
levei  of  time,  to  “  that  undiscovered  coun¬ 
try,  from  whose  bourn  no  traveler  returns.” 


SECOND  SECTION 


*  #  * 

Masonry  is  considered  under  two  de¬ 
nominations, 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


3* 


OPERATIVE  AND  SPECULATIVE 

By  Operative  Masonry  we  allude  to  a 
proper  application  of  the  useful  rules  of 
architecture,  whence  a  structure  will  derive 
figure,  strength,  and  beauty,  and  from 
which  will  result  a  due  proportion  and 
just  correspondence  in  all  its  parts  It 
furnishes  us  with  dwellings,  and  conven¬ 
ient  shelters  from  the  vicissitudes  and  in¬ 
clemencies  of  the  seasons ;  and  while  it 
displays  the  effects  of  human  wisdom,  as 
well  in  the  choice  as  in  the  arrangement  of 
the  sundry  materials  of  which  an  edifice  is 
composed,  it  demonstrates  that  a  fund  of 
science  and  industry  is  implanted  in  man, 
for  the  best,  most  salutary,  and  beneficent 
purposes. 

By  Speculative  Masonry  we  learn  to 
subdue  the  passions,  act  upon  the  square, 
ieep  a  tongue  of  gPod  report,  maintain 
secrecy,  and  practise  charity.  It  is  so  far 
nterwoven  with  religion  as  to  lay  us  under 
obligations  to  pay  that  rational  homage  to 
he  Deity  which  at  once  constitutes  our 


32  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

duty  and  our  happiness.  It  leads  the  con¬ 
templative  to  view  with  reverence  and  ad¬ 
miration  the  glorious  works  of  creation, 

and  inspires  him  with  the  most  exalted 
ideas  of  the  perfection  of  his  Divine 
Creator. 

*  *  *  *  * 

IN  SIX  DAYS 

God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth, 
and  rested  upon  the  seventh  day ;  the  sev¬ 
enth,  therefore,  our  ancient  Brethren  con¬ 
secrated  as  a  day  of  rest  from  their  labors, 
thereby  enjoying  frequent  opportunities  to 
contemplate  the  glorious  works  of  the 
creation,  and  to  adore  their  great  Creator 
*  *  *  *  * 

PILLARS 

#  #  *  *•  # 

THE  NUMBER  THREE 

*  *  *  *  * 


THE  NUMBER  FIVE 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  33 

ORDER  IN  ARCHITECTURE 

By  Order  in  Architecture  is  meant  a 
system  of  all  the  members,  o^oportions,  and 
ornaments  of  columns  and  pilasters ;  or,  it 
is  a  regular  arrangement  of  the  projecting 
parts  of  a  building,  which,  united  with 
those  of  a  column,  form  a  beautiful,  perfect, 
and  complete  whole. 

OF  ITS  ANTIQUITY 

From  the  first  formation  of  society,  order 
in  architecture  may  be  traced.  When  the 
rigor  of  seasons  obliged  men  to  contrive 
shelter  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
we  learn  that  they  first  planted  trees  on  end, 
and  then  laid  others  across,  to  support 
a  covering.  The  bands  which  connected 
those  trees  at  top  and  bottom  are  said  to 
have  given  rise  to  the  idea  of  the  base  and 
capital  of  pillars  ;  and  from  this  simple  hint 
originally  proceeded  the  more  improved  art 
of  architecture. 

The  Orders  are  classed  thus :  the  Tuscan, 
Doric,  Ionic,  Corinthian,  and  Composite. 


34 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


THE  INVENTION  OF  ORDER  IN 
ARCHITECTURE 

The  ancient  and  original  orders  of  archi¬ 
tecture,  revered  by  Masons,  are  but  three, — 
the  Doric,  Ionic ,  and  Corinthian,  —  which 
were  invented  by  the  Greeks.  To  these  the 
Romans  have  added  two  —  the  Tuscan, 
which  they  made  plainer  than  the  Doric; 
and  the  Composite,  which  was  more  orna¬ 
mental,  if  not  more  beautiful,  than  the 
Corinthian.  The  first  three  orders  alone, 
however,  show  invention  and  particular 
character,  and  essentially  differ  from  each 
other  ;  the  two  others  have  nothing  but  what 
is  borrowed,  and  differ  only  accidentally. 
The  Tuscan  is  the  Doric  in  its  earliest 
state  ;  and  the  Composite  is  the  Corinthian, 
enriched  with  the  Ionic.  To  the  Greeks, 
therefore,  and  not  to  the  Romans,  we  are 
indebted  for  what  is  great,  judicious,  and 
distinct  in  architecture. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


35 


THE  FIVE  HUMAN  SENSES 

Which  are  hearing,  seeing,  feeling, 
smelling,  and  tasting. 

The  first  three,  Hearing ,  Seeing,  and 
Feeling,  are  most  revered  by  Masons,  be¬ 
cause  ****** 

THE  NUMBER  SEVEN 
*  *  * 

THE  SEVEN  LIBERAL  ARTS  AND 
SCIENCES 

Which  are  grammar,  rhetoric,  logic, 
arithmetic,  geometry,  music,  and 
astronomy. 

Masonry,  however,  is  more  particularly 
founded  on  Geometry,  or  the  fifth  science. 

Geometry  is  that  science  which  treats 
of  the  powers  and  properties  of  magnitudes 
in  general,  where  length,  breadth,  and 
thickness  are  considered  —  from  a  point  to  a 
line,  from  a  line  to  a  superficies,  from  a  super¬ 
ficies  to  a  solid. 

A  point  is  a  position  without  dimensions. 

A  line  is  a  figure  of  one  capacity,  namely, 
length. 


36  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

A  superficies  is  a  figure  of  two  dimensions, 
length  and  breadth. 

A  solid  is  a  figure  of  three  dimensions, 
length,  breadth,  and  thickness. 

THE  ADVANTAGES  OF  GEOMETRY 

By  this  science  the  architect  is  enabled 
to  construct  his  plans  and  execute  his  de¬ 
signs  ;  the  general,  to  arrange  his  soldiers  ; 
the  engineer,  to  mark  out  grounds  for  en¬ 
campments  ;  the  geographer,  to  give  us  the 
dimensions  of  the  world,  and  all  things 
therein  contained,  to  delineate  the  extent  of 
seas,  and  specify  the  divisions  of  empires, 
kingdoms,  and  provinces.  By  it,  also,  the 
astronomer  is  enabled  to  make  his  observa¬ 
tions,  and  to  fix  the  duration  of  times  and 
seasons,  years  and  cycles.  In  fine,  Geom¬ 
etry  is  the  foundation  of  architecture, 
the  root  of  the  mathematics. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


37 


*  *  *  Outer  Door  *  *  * 

*  *  *  Inner  Door  *  *  * 

*  *  *  *  * 

*  *  *  (j  *  *  * 

GEOMETRY 

Is  the  basis  on  which  the  superstructure 
of  Masonry  is  erected. 

ITS  MORAL  ADVANTAGES 

By  Geometry  we  may  curiously  trace 
Nature  through  her  various  windings  to 
her  most  concealed  recesses.  By  it  we  dis¬ 
cover  the  power,  wisdom,  and  goodness  of 
the  Grand  Artificer  of  the  Universe,  and 
view  with  delight  the  proportions  which 
connect  this  vast  machine.  By  it  we  dis¬ 
cover  how  the  planets  move  in  their  re¬ 
spective  orbits  and  demonstrate  their 
various  revolutions.  By  it  we  account  for 


38  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

the  return  of  seasons,  and  the  variety  of 
scenes  which  each  season  displays  to  the 
discerning  eye.  Numberless  worlds  are 
around  us,  all  framed  by  the  same  Divine 
Artist,  which  roll  through  the  vast  expanse, 
and  are  conducted  by  the  same  unerring 
law  of  Nature. 

A  survey  of  Nature,  and  the  observation 
of  her  beautiful  proportions,  first  deter¬ 
mined  man  to  imitate  the  Divine  plan,  and 
study  symmetry  and  order.  This  gave 
rise  to  societies  and  birth  to  every  useful 
art.  The  architect  began  to  design,  and 
the  plans  which  he  laid  down,  being  im¬ 
proved  by  time  and  experience,  have  pro¬ 
duced  works  which  have  been  the  admiration 
of  every  age. 

The  lapse  of  time,  the  ruthless  hand  of 
ignorance,  and  the  devastations  of  war 
have  laid  waste  and  destroyed  many  valu¬ 
able  monuments  of  antiquity,  on  which  the 
utmost  exertions  of  human  genius  had 
been  employed.  Even  the  Temple  of  Sol¬ 
omon,  so  spacious  and  magnificent,  and 
constructed  by  so  many  celebrated  artists, 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  39 

escaped  not  the  unsparing  ravages  of  bar¬ 
barous  force.  Freemasonry,  notwithstand¬ 
ing,  has  still  survived.  The  attentive  ear 
receives  the  sound  from  the  instructive 
tongue ,  and  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry 
are  safely  lodged  in  the  repository  of  faith¬ 
ful  breasts.  Tools  and  implements  of  arch¬ 
itecture —  symbols  most  expressive  —  have 
been  selected  by  the  Fraternity  to  imprint 
on  the  memory  wise  and  serious  truths ; 
and  thus,  through  a  succession  of  ages, 
are  transmitted  unimpaired  the  most  ex¬ 
cellent  tenets  of  our  Institution. 

O  O  O 

******* 
CHARGE  —  SECOND  DEGREE 
My  Brother  :  Being  advanced  to  the 
second  degree  of  Freemasonry,  I  congratu¬ 
late  you  on  your  preferment. 

Masonry  is  a  progressive  moral  science, 
divided  into  different  degrees ;  and  as  its 
principles  and  mystic  ceremonies  are  regu¬ 
larly  developed  and  illustrated,  it  is  in¬ 
tended  and  hoped  that  they  will  make  a 
deep  and  lasting  impression  on  the  mind. 


40  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

It  is  unnecessary  to  recapitulate  the 
duties  which,  as  a  Fellow-Craft,  you  are 
bound  to  discharge.  Your  general  good 
reputation  affords  satisfactory  assurance 
that  you  will  not  suffer  any  consideration 
to  induce  you  to  act  in  any  manner  un¬ 
worthy  of  the  respectable  character  you 
now  sustain  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  you 
will  ever  display  the  discretion,  the  virtue, 
and  the  dignity  which  become  a  worthy  and 
exemplary  Mason. 

Our  laws  and  regulations  you  are  strenu¬ 
ously  to  support,  and  be  always  ready  to  as¬ 
sist  in  seeing  them  duly  executed.  You  are 
not  to  palliate  or  aggravate  the  offences  of 
your  Brethren  ;  but  in  the  decision  of  every 
trespass  against  our  rules  you  are  to  judge 
with  candor,  admonish  with  friendship,  and 
reprehend  with  justice. 

The  impressive  ceremonies  of  this  de¬ 
gree  are  calculated  to  inculcate  upon  the 
mind  of  the  novitiate  the  importance  of  the 
study  of  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences,  espe¬ 
cially  of  the  noble  science  of  Geometry, 
which  forms  the  basis  of  Freemasonry,  and 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


41 


which,  being  of  a  divine  and  moral  nature, 
is  enriched  with  the  most  useful  knowl¬ 
edge  ;  for  while  it  proves  the  wonderful 
properties  of  nature,  it  demonstrates  the 
more  important  truths  of  morality.  To  the 
study  of  Geometry,  therefore,  your  attention 
is  specially  directed. 

Your  past  regular  deportment  and  up¬ 
right  conduct  have  merited  the  honor  we 
have  conferred.  In  your  present  character 
it  is  expected  that  at  all  our  assemblies  you 
will  observe  the  solemnities  of  our  cere¬ 
monies,  that  you  will  preserve  the  ancient 
usages  and  customs  of  the  P'raternity  sa¬ 
cred  and  inviolate,  and  thus,  by  your  ex¬ 
ample,  induce  others  to  hold  them  in  due 
veneration. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  your  engagements 
as  a  Fellow-Craft,  and  to  a  due  observance 
of  them  you  are  bound  by  the  strongest 
ties  of  fidelity  and  honor. 

*  *  #  *  •  *  * 


THIRD  DEGREE 


FIRST  SECTION 

SCRIPTURE  READING 
Eccls.  xii.  1-7 

“  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days 
of  thy  youth,  while  the  evil  days  come 
not,  nor  the  years  draw  nigh,  when  thou 
shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  them  ; 
while  the  sun,  or  the  light,  or  the  moon,  or 
the  stars,  be  not  darkened,  nor  the  clouds 
return  after  the  rain  :  in  the  day  when  the 
keepers  of  the  house  shall  tremble,  and 
the  strong  men  shall  bow  themselves,  and 
the  grinders  cease  because  they  are  few, 
and  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  be 
darkened,  and  the  doors  shall  be  shut  in 
the  streets,  when  the  sound  of  the  grinding 
is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  43 

the  bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of  music 
shall  be  brought  low ;  also  when  they  shall 
be  afraid  of  that  which  is  high,  and  fears 
shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond  tree 
shall  flourish,  and  the  grasshopper  shall  be 
a  burden,  and  desire  shall  fail :  because  man 
goeth  to  his  long  home,  and  the  mourners  go 
about  the  streets  :  or  ever  the  silver  cord 
be  loosed,  or  the  golden  bowl  be  broken,  or 
the  pitcher  be  broken  at  the  fountain,  or 
the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern.  Then 
shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was  : 
and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who 
gave  it.” 

WORKING  TOOLS 

The  working  tools  of  a  Master  Mason 
are  all  the  implements  of  Masonry,  in¬ 
discriminately,  but  more  especially  the 
Trowel. 


THE  TROWEL 


Is  an  instrument  made  use  of  by  opera¬ 
tive  masons  to  spread  the  cement  which 


44 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


unites  the  building  into  one  common  mass  ; 
but  we,  as  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  are 
taught  to  make  use  of  it  for  the  more  noble 
and  glorious  purpose  of  spreading  the 
cement  of  Brotherly  Love  and  Affection  — 
that  cement  which  unites  us  into  one 
sacred  band,  or  society  of  Friends  and 
Brothers,  among  whom  no  contention  should 
ever  exist,  but  that  noble  contention,  or 
rather  emulation,  of  who  best  can  work  and 
best  agree. 


SECOND  SECTION 


Abraham, 

Adoniram, 

Ammishaddai, 

Benjamin, 

Bezaleel, 

Belshazzar, 

*  *  ■*  * 


Jethro, 

Josephus, 

Jedidiah, 

*  *  *  * 
Zebulun, 
Zephaniah, 
Zedekiah. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


45 


MASONIC  DIRGE 

Solemn  strikes  the  funeral  chime, 
Notes  of  our  departing  time, 

As  we  journey  here  below, 

Through  a  pilgrimage  of  woe. 

Mortals  now  indulge  a  tear  ! 

For  mortality  is  here  ; 

See  how  wide  her  trophies  wave 
O’er  the  slumbers  of  the  grave  ! 

Lord  of  all !  below  —  above, 

Fill  our  hearts  with  truth  and  love, 
As  dissolves  our  earthly  tie, 

Take  us  to  Thy  Lodge  on  high. 


46 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


PRAYER 

Thou,  O  God!  knowest  our  downsitting 
and  our  uprising  and  understandest  our 
thoughts  afar  off.  Shield  and  defend  us 
from  the  evil  intentions  of  our  enemies 
and  support  us  under  the  trials  and  afflic¬ 
tions  we  are  destined  to  endure  while  trav¬ 
eling  through  this  vale  of  tears.  Man  that 
is  born  of  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full  of 
trouble.  He  cometh  forth  as  a  flower  and 
is  cut  down ;  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow 
and  continueth  not.  Seeing  his  days  are 
determined,  the  number  of  his  months  are 
with  thee  :  thou  hast  appointed  his  bounds 
that  he  cannot  pass  ;  turn  from  him  that  he 
may  rest  till  he  shall  accomplish  his  day. 
For  there  is  hope  of  a  tree  if  it  be  cut  down 
that  it  will  sprout  again  and  that  the  tender 
branch  will  not  cease.  But  man  dieth  and 
wasteth  away :  yea,  man  giveth  up  the 
ghost  and  where  is  he  ?  As  the  waters  fail 
from  the  sea  and  as  the  flood  decayeth  and 
drieth  up,  so  man  lieth  down  and  riseth  not 
up  until  the  heavens  shall  be  no  more. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


47 


Yet,  O  Lord,  have  compassion  upon  the 
children  of  thy  creation,  administer  them 
comfort  in  time  of  trouble,  and  save  them 
with  an  everlasting  salvation.  Amen. 

THIRD  SECTION 

THE  SUPPORTS 

Masonry  may  be  said  to  be  supported 
by  three  great  Pillars,  called  Wisdom, 
Strength,  and  Beauty. 

BY  WHICH  ARE  REPRESENTED 
***** 

The  Temple  at  Jerusalem  was  supported 
by  fourteen  hundred  and  fifty-three  Col¬ 
umns,  and  two  thousand' nine  hundred  and 
>ix  Pilasters,  all  hewn  from  the  finest 
Parian  marble. 

WORKMEN  EMPLOYED 

There  were  employed  in  its  erection 
me  hundred  and  fifty-three  thousand  three 


48 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


hundred  and  three  workmen,  namely,  three 
Grand  Masters,  three  thousand  three  hun¬ 
dred  Masters  or  Overseers  of  the  Work, 
eighty  thousand  Fellow-Crafts  or  Hewers 
in  the  Mountains,  and  seventy  thousand 
Entered  Apprentices  or- Bearers  of  Burdens. 


THE  THREE  STEPS 

Usually  delineated  upon  the  Master’s  Car¬ 
pet,  are  emblematical  of  the  three  principal 
stages  of  human  life,  namely,  Youth, 
Manhood,  and  Age.  They  also  allude  to 
the  three  degrees  in  Freemasonry,  En¬ 
tered  Apprentice,  Fellow-Craft,  and  Master 
Mason.  In  Youth,  as  Entered  Apprentices, 
we  ought  industriously  to  occupy  our  minds 
in  the  attainment  of  useful  knowledge  ;  in 
Manhood,  as  Fellow-Crafts,  we  should 
apply  that  knowledge  to  the  discharge  of 
our  respective  duties  to  God,  our  neighbor, . 
and  ourselves,  so  that  in  Age,  as  Master 
Masons,  we  may  enjoy  the  happy  reflection 
consequent  on  a  well-spent  life,  and  die  in 
the  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


49 


NINE  CLASSES  OF  EMBLEMS 
OR  SYMBOLS  OF  MASONRY 

Eight  of  which  are  —  the  Pot  of  Incense, 
the  Bee-Hive,  the  Book  of  Constitutions 
guarded  by  the  Tyler’s  Sword,  the  Sword 
pointing  to  a  Naked  Heart,  the  Anchor  and 
Ark,  the  forty-seventh  Problem  of  Euclid, 
the  Hour-Glass  and  Scythe. 

THE  POT  OF  INCENSE 

Is  an  emblem  of  a  pure  heart,  which  is 
always  an  acceptable  sacrifice  to  Deity ; 
and  as  this  glows  with  fervent  heat,  so 
should  our  hearts  continually  glow  with 
gratitude  to  the  great  and  beneficent  Author 
of  our  existence  for  the  manifold  blessings 
and  comforts  we  enjoy. 

THE  BEE-HIVE 

Is  an  emblem  of  industry,  and  recommends 
the  practice  of  that  virture  to  all  created  be¬ 
ings,  from  the  highest  seraph  in  heaven  to 
the  lowest  reptile  of  the  dust.  It  teaches  us 


50  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

that,  as  we  came  into  the  world  rational 
and  intelligent  beings,  so  we  should  ever 
be  .industrious  ones ;  never  sitting  down 
contented  while  our  fellow-creatures  around 
us  are  in  want,  especially  when  it  is  in  our 
power  to  relieve  them  without  inconven¬ 
ience  to  ourselves. 

When  we  take  a  survey  of  Nature,  we 
view  man  in  his  infancy  more  helpless 
and  indigent  than  the  brute  creation ;  he 
lies  languishing  for  days,  months,  and 
years,  totally  incapable  of  providing  sus¬ 
tenance  for  himself,  of  guarding  against 
the  attacks  of  the  wild  beasts  of  the  fold, 
or  sheltering  himself  from  the  inclemencies 
of  the  weather. 

It  might  have  pleased  the  great  Creator 
of  heaven  and  ^arth  to  have  made  man  in¬ 
dependent  ;  but,  as  dependence  is  one  of 
the  strongest  bonds  of  society,  mankind 
’Nere  made  dependent  on  each  other  for 
protection  and  security,  as  they  thereby 
enjoy  better  opportunities  for  fulfilling  the 
duties  of  reciprocal  love  and  friendship. 
Thus  was  man  formed  for  social  and  active 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  51 

life,  the  noblest  part  of  the  work  of  God ; 
and  he  that  will  so  demean  himself  as  not 
to  be  endeavoring  to  add  to  the  common 
stock  of  knowledge  and  understanding 
may  be  deemed  a  drone  in  the  hive  of 
nature,  a  useless  member  of  society,  and 
unworthy  of  our  protection  as  Masons. 

THE  BOOK  OF  CONSTITUTIONS 
GUARDED  BY  THE  TYLER'S 
SWORD 

Reminds  us  that  we  should  be  ever  watch¬ 
ful  and  guarded  in  our  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions,  particularly  when  before  the 
uninitiated ;  ever  bearing  in  remembrance 
those  truly  Masonic  virtues,  silence  and 
circu  m  sped  ion. 

THE  SWORD  POINTING  TO  A  NAKED 
HEART 

Demonstrates  that  justice  will  sooner  or 
later  overtake  us ;  and  although  our 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions  may  be  hid¬ 
den  from  the  eyes  of  man,  yet  that 


52 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


ALL-SEEING  EYE , 

| 

Whom  the  Sun,  Moon,  and  Stars  obey, 
and  under  whose  watchful  care  even 
Comets  perform  their  stupendous  revo¬ 
lutions,  pervades  the  inmost  recesses  of 
the  human  heart,  and  will  reward  us  ac¬ 
cording  to  our  merits. 

THE  ANCHOR  AND  ARK 

Are  emblems  of  a  well-grounded  hope  and 
a  well-spent  life.  They  are  emblematical 
of  that  divine  ark  which  safely  wafts  us 
over  this  tempestuous  sea  of  troubles,  and 
that  anchor  which  shall  safely  moor  us  in  a 
peaceful  harbor,  where  the  wicked  cease 
from  troubling,  and  the  weary  shall  find 
rest. 

THE  FORTY-SEVENTH  PROBLEM  OF 
EUCLID 

Was  an  invention  of  our  ancient  Friend 
and  Brother,  the  great  Pythagoras,  who,  in 
his  travels  through  Asia,  Africa,  and 
Europe,  was  initiated  into  several  orders  of 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  53 

Priesthood,  and  is  said  to  have  been  raised 
to  the  sublime  degree  of  Master  Mason. 
This  wise  philosopher  enriched  his  mind 
abundantly  in  a  general  knowledge  of 
things,  more  especially  in  Geometry,  or 
Masonry.  On  this  subject  he  drew  out 
many  problems  and  theorems  ;  and  among 
the  most  distinguished  he  erected  this, 
when,  in  the  joy  of  his  heart,  he  exclaimed, 
Eureka !  signifying,  in  the  Grecian  lan¬ 
guage,  I  have  found  it ;  and  upon  the  dis¬ 
covery  of  which  he  is  said  to  have  sacrificed 
a  hecatomb.  It  teaches  Masons  to  be  gen¬ 
eral  lovers  of  the  arts  and  sciences. 

THE  HOUR-GLASS 

Is  an  emblem  of  human  life.  Behold, 
how  swiftly  the  sands  run,  and  how  rapidly 
our  lives  are  drawing  fo  a  close!  We  can¬ 
not,  without  astonishment,  behold  the  little 
particles  which  are  contained  in  this  ma¬ 
chine,  how  they  pass  away  almost  im¬ 
perceptibly,  and  yet,  to  our  surprise,  in 
the  short  space  of  an  hour,  they  are  all 


54 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


exhausted.  Thus  wastes  man !  to-day  he 
puts  forth  the  tender  leaves  of  hope ;  to¬ 
morrow  blossoms,  and  bears  his  blushing 
honors  thick  upon  him ;  the  next  day 
comes  a  frost,  which  nips  the  shoot,  and 
when  he  thinks  his  greatness  is  still  aspir¬ 
ing,  he  falls,  like  autumn  leaves,  to  enrich 
our  mother  earth. 


THE  SCYTHE 

Is  an  emblem  of  time,  which  cuts  the 
brittle  thread  of  life  and  launches  us  into 
eternity.  Behold,  what  havoc  the  scythe 
of  time  makes  among  the  human  race ;  if, 
perchance,  we  escape  the  numerous  evils 
incident  to  childhood  and  youth,  and,  with 
health  and  vigor,  arrive  at  the  years  of  man¬ 
hood,  yet  withal  we  must  soon  be  cut  down 
by  the  all-devouring  scythe  of  time,  and  be 
gathered  to  the  land  where  our  fathers  have 
gone  before  us. 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  55 

THE  SETTING  MAUL ,  THE  SPADE, 
AND  THE  COFFIN 

******** 

CHARGE— THIRD  DEGREE 

My  Brother:  Your  zeal  for  our  Insti¬ 
tution,  the  progress  you  have  made  in  our 
mysteries,  and  your  steady  conformity  to 
our  useful  regulations,  have  pointed  you 
out  as  a  proper  object  for  this  peculiar  mark 
of  our  favor. 

Duty  and  honor  now  alike  bind  you  to  be 
faithful  to  every  trust ;  to  support  the  dig¬ 
nity  of  your  character  on  all  occasions ; 
and  strenuously  to  enforce,  by  precept  and 
example,  a  steady  obedience  to  the  tenets 
of  Freemasonry.  Exemplary  conduct  on 
your  part  will  convince  the  world  that  merit 
is  the  just  title  to  our  privileges,  and  that 
on  you  our  favors  have  not  been  unde¬ 
servedly  bestowed. 

As  a  Master  Mason,  you  are  authorized 
to  correct  the  irregularities  of  your  less 
informed  Brethren,  to  fortify  their  minds 


56 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 


with  resolution  against  the  snares  of  the 
insidious,  and  to  guard  them  against  every 
allurement  to  vicious  practices.  To  pre¬ 
serve  unsullied  the  reputation  of  the  Fra¬ 
ternity  ought  to  be  your  constant  care ;  and 
therefore  it  becomes  your  province  to  cau¬ 
tion  the  inexperienced  against  a  breach  of 
fidelity.  To  your  inferiors  in  rank  or  office 
you  are  to  recommend  obedience  and  sub¬ 
mission  ;  to  your  equals,  courtesy  and  affa¬ 
bility  ;  to  your  superiors,  kindness  and  con¬ 
descension.  Universal  benevolence  you 
are  zealously  to  inculcate,  and,  by  the  regu¬ 
larity  of  your  own  conduct,  endeavor  to 
remove  every  aspersion  against  this  ven¬ 
erable  Institution.  Our  ancient  landmarks 
you  are  carefully  to  preserve,  and  not  suffer 
them,  on  any  pretence,  to  be  infringed,  or 
countenance  a  deviation  from  our  estab¬ 
lished  customs. 

Your  honor  and  reputation  are  concerned 
in  supporting  with  dignity  the  respectable 
character  you  now  bear.  Let  no  motive, 
therefore,  make  you  swerve  from  your  duty, 
violate  your  vows,  or  betray  your  trust  ;  but 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  57 

be  true  and  faithful,  and  imitate  the  exam¬ 
ple  of  that  celebrated  artist  whom  you  have 
this  evening  represented.  Thus  you  will 
render  yourself  deserving  of  the  honor 
which  we  have  conferred  and  worthy  of  the 
confidence  we  have  reposed  in  you. 

******* 


o  o  o 

And  now,  my  brethren,  let  us  see  to  it, 
and  so  regulate  our  lives  by  the  Plumbline 
of  Justice,  ever  squaring  our  actions  by  the 
rule  of  Virtue,  that  when  the  Grand  Warden 
of  Heaven  shall  call  for  us,  we  may  be  found 
ready.  Let  us  cultivate  assiduously  the 
noble  tenets  of  our  profession,  Brotherly 
Love,  Relief,  and  Truth;  from  the  Square 
learn  morality,  from  the  Level  equality,  and 
from  the  Plumb  rectitude  of  life. 

Let  us  imitate  in  all  his  varied  perfection 
him  who,  *****  Let  us 
emulate  his  amiable  and  virtuous  charac¬ 
ter,  his  unfeigned  piety  to  God,  and  his 


58  THE  STANDARD  MONITOR 

inflexible  fidelity  to  his  trust,  and  as  the 
*  ******  * 
so  may  virtue ,  by  its  ever  blooming  loveli¬ 
ness,  designate  us  as  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  With  the  trowel  spread  liberally 
the  cement  of  brotherly  love ;  circum¬ 
scribed  by  the  compasses,  let  us  ponder  well 
our  words  and  actions,  and  let  all  the  ener¬ 
gies  of  our  minds  and  the  affections  of  our 
souls  be  employed  in  the  attainment  of 
our  Supreme  Grand  Master’s  approbation. 
Then,  when  our  dissolution  draws  nigh, 
and  the  cold  winds  of  death  come  sigh¬ 
ing  around  us,  and  his  chill  dews  already 
glisten  upon  our  foreheads,  with  joy  shall 
we  obey  the  summons  of  the  Grand 
Warden  of  Heaven  and  go  from  our  labors 
on  earth  to  eternal  refreshment  in  the 
Paradise  of  God,  where,  by  the  benefit  of 
the  pass  of  a  pure  and  blameless  life  and 
an  unshaken  confidence  in  the  merits  of 
the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  shall  we 
gain  ready  admission  into  that  Celestial 
Lodge  where  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the 
Universe  presides;  there,  placed  at  His 


THE  STANDARD  MONITOR  59 

right  hand,  He  will  be  pleased  to  pronounce 
us  just  and  upright  masons.  Then,  my 
brethren,  will  we  be  fitly  prepared  for  that 
spiritual  building,  that  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  Heavens,  where 
no  discordant  voice  shall  arise,  and  all  the 
soul  shall  experience  shall  be  perfect  bliss, 
and  all  it  shall  express  shall  be  perfect 
praise,  and  love  divine  ennoble  every  heart, 
and  hosannas  exalted  employ  every  tongue. 


PETITION  FOR  DEGREES 


To . Lodge  No . Ancient  Free  and 

Accepted  Masons . Illinois. 

The  subscriber  respectfully  represents  that  entertain¬ 
ing  a  favorable  opinion  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable 
Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  being  un¬ 
biased  by  friends  and  uninfluenced  by  mercenary  motives, 
he  hereby  freely  and  voluntarily  petitions  to  receive  the 
degrees  in  the  above-named  Lodge,  and  to  become  a 
member  thereof. 

I  was  born  on  the.  . .  .day  of . A.D . 

at . State  of . 

My  occupation  is  that  of  a . 

(State  specifically  character  of  business.) 

I  am  employed  by . whose  business 

is  that  of . at . 

My  residence  is  No . Street . Illinois. 

My  place  of  business  is .  I  have  resided 

in  the  State  of  Illinois . years  and  for  the  six 

months  last  past  at . Illinois. 

I  have . previously  petitioned  any  Lodge  for  the 

degrees  in  Masonry.  *  I  petitioned : . Lodge 


No. 


at . State  of. 


on  or  about  the.  .  .  .day  of . and  was . 

If  the  prayer  of  the  petition  is  granted,  I  promise  a 
cheerful  obedience  to  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the 
Lodge  and  a  full  compliance  with  the  usages  and  cus¬ 
toms  of  the  Fraternity. 

Dated  at . this . day  of . 19 ... . 

(Sign  full  name) . 

Recommended  bv 


Members  of . Lodge  No. 


*  Erase  one  of  the  above  statements  and  make  the  petition 
conform  to  the  facts. 

The  law  absolutely  requires  three  members  of  the  Lodge  to 
recommend.  Two  are  not  sufficient. 


From  the  East  of  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  State  of  Illinois ,  A .  F.  and  A .  M. 

Office  of  the  Grand  Master, 
Cairo,  March  27,  1876. 

Edward  Cook,  Esq., 

Grand  Examiner, 

Chicago,  III. 

R.  W.  and  Dear  Brother  :  The  Mon¬ 
itor,  compiled  by  you,  proof  sheets  of  which 
have  been  submitted  for  my  examination, 
meets  my  hearty  approval.  It  presents  in 
a  very  concise  and  portable  form  just  what 
every  Mason,  and  particularly  every  Master 
of  a  Lodge,  should  know,  and  as  it  conforms 
to  the  authorized  work  of  this  jurisdiction, 
I  have  no  hesitation  in  recommending  it 
to  the  craft  of  Illinois  as  The  Standard 
,  Monitor. 

Fraternally  yours, 

George  E.  Lounsbury, 

Grand  Master. 


From  Members  of  the  “  Board  of  Grand  Exam¬ 
iners  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois. 

The  Standard  Monitor,  by  R.  W. 
Brother  Edward  Cook,  Grand  Examiner 
and  Grand  Lecturer,  will,  in  the  opinion  of 
*he  undersigned,  entirely  and  fully  meet 
the  object  which  led  to  its  compilation,  in 
furnishing  to  the  Fraternity,  in  a  compact 
and  convenient  form,  the  means  of  ac¬ 
quiring  and  imparting  a  correct  knowledge 
of  the  Ritual  as  sanctioned  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Illinois. 

We  therefore  cordially  and  fraternally 
recommend  the  work  to  the  favor  of  the 
brethren  of  the  Masonic  Institution  every¬ 
where. 

Signed : 

A.  T.  Darrah, 

Tolono. 

Ira  J.  Bloomfield, 

Bloomington. 


)  Grand  Examiners 
and  Grand  Lectur¬ 
ers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Illinois. 


April  7,  1876. 


Chicago,  October  i,  1876. 

Right  Worshipful  Edward  Cook,  1 
Grand  Examiner  and  Grand  Lee-  b 
turerof  Craft  Masonry,  State  of  Ill.  J 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  I  have  exam¬ 
ined  The  Standard  Monitor,  compiled 
and  published  by  you.  and  regard  it  a  very 
desirable  and  important  auxiliary  in  the 
establishment  of  uniformity  of  “  work,”  as 
it  supplies  a  want  long  felt  in  our  jurisdic¬ 
tion,  viz. :  a  text-book  that  conforms  to  the 
Standard  work  and  Ritual,  as  authorized  by 
tne  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois. 

I  cheerfully  commend  the  useful  and  con¬ 
venient  little  volume  to  the  craft  throughout 
the  State. 

Truly  and  fraternally  yours, 

DeWitt  C.  Cregier, 

P.  G.  M. 

I  heartily  concur  in  the  above. 

Wm.  B.  Grimes, 

Grand  Examiner 

Pittsfield.  III..  May  8,  1882. 


THE  MOST  WORSHIPFUL  GRAND 
LODGE  OF  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  OF  ILLINOIS 

Carlinville,  III.,  March  17,  1908. 
To  Edward  Cook,  Chicago,  Ill. 

The  Standard  Monitor  compiled  by 
you  has  been  potent  in  teaching  the  author¬ 
ized  work  of  this  Jurisdiction.  The  revised 
edition,  made  with  the  approval  of  myself 
and  the  Board  of  Grand  Examiners,  will 
continue  to  be  of  inestimable  service  in 
maintaining  and  promoting  complete  uni¬ 
formity.  I  therefore  heartily  commend  it  to 
the  Craft  of  this  Grand  Jurisdiction.  It  is 
the  only  book  which  properly  may  be  used 
in  connection  with  the  ceremonies  of  the 
three  degrees  of  Masonry. 


Fraternally  yours, 

Alexander  II.  Bell, 
Grand  Master , 


We  cordially  unite  with  the  Grand  Master 
in  the  above  recommendation  : 

A.  B,  Ashley,  Deputy  Grand  Master 
Delmar  D.  Darrah,  Senior  Grand  Warden 
H.  T.  Burn  AT,  Junior  Grand  Warden 


